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SEMA Preview: Trio of HUMMER H3s set to invade Vegas

HUMMER's presence at this year's SEMA show will be typified by a trio of tuned H3s, ranging from a mildly modded Alpha to an H3T ready to traverse the desert surrounding Sin City.

The most sedate of the three is the warmed-over H3 X Alpha concept, which features new 18-inch wheels shod in 35-inch all-terrain tires, black chrome trim, body-colored bumper extensions and clear turn signal housings. The exterior is coated in Canyon Metallic, while inside, the leather seats, armrests and shift knob all receive contrasting orange stitching along with matching piping and a HUMMER Accessories DVD headrest system.

Far more impressive is the H3T Weekend Warrior concept (above), which capitalizes on HUMMER's off-road cred with a series of engine and suspension mods. Output of the 5.3-liter V8 has been increased by around 70 hp through the use of an LS2 cylinder head, high-lift cam and custom 3.5-inch exhaust. Rolling stock is comprised of HUMMER Accessories' 20-inch wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Baja T/A rubber, suspended by a Light Racing Jounce Shocks and Rod Hall Racing piggyback performance reservoirs, with brakes provided by DBA.

Finally, Four Wheeler magazine got its own H3 Alpha to play with, and began by "de-glossing" the Victory Red paint scheme with a PPG flattening agent mixed with clear to give it an incredibly cool satin appearance. The only engine mod is a MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust, but what Four Wheeler didn't spend on motivation it made up for with suspension components. Nitrogen-charged, two-inch Rod Hall Racing performance shocks and Light Racing Jounce Shocks compliment the flat-black 16-inch Simulock wheels coated in BFG Mud-Terrain T/A tires.

We'll be on hand in two weeks to bring you all the details from the show floor, but in the meantime, check the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

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PRESS RELEASE

HUMMER SHOWS A TRIO OF H3-BASED CONCEPTS AND PROJECTS AT THE 2008 SEMA SHOW

LAS VEGAS – The desert surrounding Las Vegas has long been the inspiration of off-road enthusiasts. HUMMER is the ultimate expression of off-road capability and it comes to Vegas and the 2008 SEMA Show with a trio of special vehicles guaranteed to quicken the pulse of anyone whose vacation plans include destinations like Moab or Baja.

HUMMER introduces two concepts, a new, pre-runner-style H3T outfitted with a raft of performance and appearance accessories, and the H3 X Concept – a proposal for the ultimate H3 X. The third vehicle is a modified H3 Alpha that was built by Four Wheeler Magazine as an ongoing project detailed in several issues and online.

"HUMMER has always been about unmatched capability and that's exactly what these concept vehicles deliver," said James Taylor, HUMMER CEO. "More importantly, they are based in reality with mostly bolt-on components attainable by any enthusiast who wants them. They are more than concepts; they're thought starters for enthusiasts who want to express themselves via their H3 or H3T."

While none of these specialized HUMMERs is targeted for production, they incorporate Genuine HUMMER Accessories components and other aftermarket parts that are on the market today, allowing enthusiasts to replicate much the concept vehicles' attitude and enhanced capability.

H3T Weekend WarriorThe H3T Weekend Warrior concept demonstrates the added extreme capability and functionality that can be accomplished with the H3T and a few weekends in the garage. Enhanced performance under the hood and from the suspension is due to the development work of HUMMER's off-road engineers and the technology transfer from HUMMER's championship-winning racing program.

Starting with a new H3T Alpha, engineers added nearly 70 horsepower to its 5.3L V-8 via components available through GM Performance Parts. They include LS2 cylinder heads (part number 12576063), a higher-lift camshaft (part number 12574519) and supporting components. Also enhancing performance is a custom, 3.5-inch exhaust system.

Taking a note from the playbook of the HUMMER stock-class race program, the H3T rides on 35-inch-tall BFGoodrich Baja T/A tires mounted on HUMMER Accessories 20-inch wheels. The concept also uses racing-proven stock and aftermarket suspension components, including Light Racing JounceShocks and 2-inch-diameter Rod Hall Racing piggyback reservoir-type performance shocks. The modified suspension improves the H3T's inherent off-road capability, making it the ideal high-speed desert chase truck. There is also a set of high-performance disc brakes from DBA.

To complete a weekend desert-escape, the H3T carries a KTM 450 SX-F dirt bike mounted with the H3T's cargo management system. The vehicle also wears other parts available from HUMMER Accessories that enhance function, including a bed extender and carry-off cargo boxes.

The exterior is painted a distinctive Canyon Metallic color from PPG that is complemented brilliantly by the black chrome details and 18-inch wheels. The interior features black leather trim on the seats, console armrest, door armrests and shift knob that is accented with orange stitching. It also features custom mats with orange piping and a headrest DVD entertainment system that is available from HUMMER Accessories.

Powering the H3 X Concept is the Alpha model's 5.3L V-8 engine that delivers 300 horsepower (224 kW) and 320 lb.-ft. of torque (434 Nm). It is partnered with a four-speed automatic transmission and enables great off-road driving control and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds (2,721 kg) – enough to haul a trailer packed with a weekend's worth of dirt bikes, camping gear and more.

H3 Alpha Four Wheeler Project Trailhugger

Partnering with HUMMER, Four Wheeler Magazine built an H3 Alpha with an all-business demeanor and greater off-road capability, while retaining daily-driver comfort and fuel economy.

The project, dubbed "Trailhugger," started by "de-glossing" the H3. That entailed painting the chrome and bright trim flat black and modifying the factory's shiny Victory Red clear coat paint job with a special PPG flattening agent mixed with clear to give it a satin appearance. The editors also added HUMMER's brush guard, roof lighting and rocker protection accessories.

After that, Four Wheeler swapped in a set of nitrogen-charged, 2-inch-diameter Rod Hall Racing piggyback reservoir-type performance shocks and Light Racing JounceShocks. The editors also installed a set of GT Inc. Simulock 16-inch wheels – painted flat black to match the rest of the exterior theme. They're factory-style HUMMER wheels with a simulated bead lock accent on the perimeter. The wheels were mounted on the H3 with a set of BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 LT285/75R16 tires. The editors chose not to give the H3 a body lift, preferring to explore its capabilities with the stock ride height.

The 5.3L V-8 is stock, but Four Wheeler added a MagnaFlow after-cat exhaust system. Most modifications and upgrades to the H3 were handled by Attitude Performance in Arlington Heights, Ill.

Progress of the Trailhugger project continues in the pages of Four Wheeler and a complementing blog: blogs.fourwheeler.com, where editor Ken Brubaker regularly writes about the H3's upgrades and its performance as a workhorse for the magazine.

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Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

6 Years Ago

Economic and Gas crises hitting the US at full force. Perfect time to release an expensive SUV that 1% of the population will find somewhat practical. LOL I agree, Hummers are very goodlooking, and the H3 has really begun to grow on me. I just see this as very bad timing

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

6 Years Ago

I want one. My H2 has dropped in value after the SUV hit that it would cost me to sell it, so have to drive it another year just to get rid of it. My dealer is pricing me one anyway, but not likely this year. Its impressive in person, mostly the bed and the thought that went into hauling things, previously a major downfall to any Hummer ever made.